Frostbite of the hand: symptoms and treatment

Winter brings not only traditional games in snowballs, sledging, skiing, but also some of the problems inherent in this period of the year. In this case, not only a cold or a bruise on the icy surface. The cold season brings a problem, sometimes serious enough, - frostbite of the hand. Such a nuisance can affect not only the upper limbs, but also the nose, cheeks, ears, and also toes. Consider how to determine in good time frostbite, and what assistance the victim needs.

Main reasons

Before considering what to do with frostbite, let's talk about the factors that provoke this state. After all, their elimination is able to protect the body from hypothermia.

So, all the causes of frostbite can be divided into three groups:

1. Clothing. It must fully correspond to the weather. It is best to choose natural materials. Woolen mittens will create the effect of "thermos", minimizing the possibility of frostbite. In addition, do not forget, the clothes should not be cramped and fit tightly to the body.
2. Weather. Not only cold can lead to frostbite. An important role is played by atmospheric humidity and wind speed.
3. Features of the body, disease. A lot of people suffering from cardiovascular pathologies, tumors, endocrine diseases, become less protected before the cold. Such persons can suffer even in conditions in which a healthy person does not freeze.

Diseases or risk factors

The ability to get frostbite of the hand is quite high in people with the following conditions:

• heart failure;
• Obliterating endarteritis;
• Raynaud's syndrome ;
• Deep vein thrombosis;
• diabetes;
• Injuries;
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• Addison's disease ;
• Large blood loss;
• Pregnancy - 3rd trimester;
• Alcoholic intoxication.

Degrees of frostbite

The cold in the tissues of the body is capable of causing changes, sometimes even irreversible. Under the influence of low temperatures there are spasms of blood vessels that block the blood flow. The severity of these changes depends entirely on the degree of damage.

Frostbite of the hand on the depth of tissue damage is divided into 4 degrees. Consider them.

1 degree

This is the easiest form. With her, the affected areas do not die. The first degree is characterized by pale or purple skin. A person feels a tingling and burning sensation in the affected area. After that, the problem areas become numb. Patients, after first aid, feel pain and itching in the affected areas.

As a rule, people who have received frostbite of the 1 st degree arm recover after a week.

2 degree

Staying a long time in the cold, you can significantly exacerbate the situation. Manifestations at the 2nd degree of frostbite are quite similar to those described above.

However, with this form, severe consequences are observed. After 1-2 days after the resulting frostbite, bubbles appear on the surface of the skin. They contain a clear liquid. This is a distinguishing feature, which is characterized by frostbite of the fingers. Treatment is delayed, as a rule, for two weeks. In addition to a long period, with this form, the patient is much more strongly felt pain discomfort.

3 degree

In the case of prolonged exposure to cold, the occurrence of irreversible effects is possible. On the surface of the skin at 3 degrees appear bubbles, containing a non-transparent liquid, and bloody contents.

This is a fairly severe form, in which all the elements of the skin are killed. Nails come off the fingers. For three weeks on the damaged areas there is a rejection of the skin. Instead of it, scars form. New nails can grow, but in most cases they are deformed.

Scarring of the skin surface lasts for a month.

4 degree

This is the most severe form of frostbite, which is characterized by the death of tissues. However, the danger is not only a damaged area of the skin. Sometimes such frostbite affects the joints, bones, as a result of which the patient develops gangrene. The consequences of such a state are irreversible. The patient needs amputation of the affected limbs.

Symptoms of frostbite

During a walk in the street it is very important to pay attention to the signs that the body signals about the beginning pathology. Virtually 95% of all cases have limbs. They are the first to feel a violation of the natural circulation.

Consider how the frostbite of the hands comes. Symptoms arise in a certain sequence:

1. Decreased mobility. Initially, it occurs at the fingertips. Then it spreads through the extremities. Such pathology occurs as a result of delayed impulse conduction. Cooling of tissues leads to changes in the walls of nerve fibers. Because of this, the speed of the pulse is reduced.
2. Decreased sensitivity. Initially, the tactile sensation is lost . Then the pain sensitivity decreases. Then the feeling of one's body is lost.
3. A burning sensation. It occurs when thawing the damaged area of the body. This stage precedes the onset of pain. This symptomatology is typical for frostbite 1 or 2 degrees. At 3 and 4 it is completely absent. The burning sensation is accompanied by reddening of the skin.
4. Pain. The intensity of this manifestation depends on the degree of damage. In addition, an important role is played by the number of nerve receptors in the affected area. In other words, frostbite of the hands will cause more discomfort than the damaged elbow. With the increase of puffiness, the pain will intensify. Such sensations are characterized as tearing, burning, extremely sharp. It should be noted that discomfort occurs only during the thawing of the damaged limb. Under the influence of low temperatures, the patient does not feel pain.
5. Color change. In the initial stage of frostbite, the covers become pale, with a matt shade. Then the limb acquires a burgundy color. If the patient has a severe degree of frostbite, then the pallor follows cyanosis. The final stage of frostbite is black. It indicates the non-viability of tissues.
6. Blisters. Their appearance signals frostbite 2, 3, 4 degrees. The liquid that accumulates in them can be transparent or bloody. The patient feels a pulsation at the site of the localization of the blister.
7. Itching. This sign can be observed during thawing or during recovery.
8. Tingling. Symptomatics is typical for the stage of recovery after the resulting frostbite. The patient feels such things as "goose bumps", "needles".

First aid

Everyone should know what to do with frostbite. Indeed, in the case of cold trauma every minute is expensive.

Doctors recommend following the algorithm of actions:

1. Immediately bring the victim to a warm room. Remove cold clothes from it. It takes time for it to warm up again. Therefore, it is better to replace it with another one.
2. Damaged hands should be rubbed with a warm soft cloth. This contributes to the inflow of blood to them. As a result, warming occurs. It is very important to help with frostbite, do not rub them with snow. Such actions are contraindicated, since the snow does not retain heat. In addition, it is capable of leaving microcracks on the surface of the skin. If the infection gets into them, the treatment process will become much more complicated.
3. Offer a hot drink to the victim. Broth, coffee or tea, hitting the stomach, will be an additional source of heat, which will spread throughout the body with blood.
4. Put your hands in warm water. The initial temperature is about 18-20 degrees. For two hours, very slowly warm the water, trying to reach a level of 36 degrees. It is forbidden to lower the limbs into cold water. This will lead to an increase in the area of the lesion. It is also inadmissible to use hot water immediately. Warming of damaged hands should occur evenly and slowly. Otherwise, the number of dead cells will increase.
5. How to treat frostbite of fingers if there is no possibility to lower their warm water? In this case, they should be wrapped in foil. The shining side should be in contact with the skin. You can insulate with cotton or a special thermal blanket. Several layers of warm materials are superimposed on the foil. The victim's body should also be wrapped up, because his hands will warm up from the inside and very slowly. In such conditions, the viability of many affected cells will remain.

It is important to remember that the results from your help should come in 10-20 minutes. If there is no change, then the victim has a severe frostbite of the fingers. Treatment in this case should be done exclusively by doctors. Immediately call an ambulance.

Medications

The victim has a rather unpleasant symptomatology. This should not be forgotten, since the patient may experience severe anguish. How to treat frostbite of the fingers? It is recommended to use the following medicines to ease the patient's feelings:

1. Spasmolytics. Such remedies allow to eliminate spasms in peripheral vessels and promote the flow of warm blood to the skin. For the treatment of demand for drugs: "Papaverin", "No-shpa", "Mebeverin", "Duspatalin", "Drotaverin."
2. NSAIDs. Reduce the intensity of inflammatory processes in the affected area with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Applying such a group, do not forget that in diseases of the stomach they are contraindicated. The maximum duration of therapy is 5-7 days. Remember, than to treat frostbite of the hands. The most suitable are the following NSAIDs: "Aspirin", "Nimesulide", "Ketorolac", "Ketanov".
3. Antihistamines. It is advisable to use them for allergic manifestations of any origin. In addition, they have excellent anti-inflammatory properties. Often, with frostbite, they use medicines Suprastin, Clemastin, Zirtek.
4. Vitamins. They should also be introduced into drug therapy. The most favorable effect for the body will have vitamin C. It is able to "treat" cold-damaged vessels and strengthen their walls.
5. Ointments. They should not be forgotten. At light degrees for rapid recovery, it is recommended to use a reparative ointment. With frostbite, the Bepanten remedy is in high demand. You can use balsam "Keeper", "Rescuer".

Important recommendations

Before using the medicines described above, you should consult your doctor about the necessary dosage and the appropriateness of this therapy.

In addition, carefully monitor the condition of the victim. If the temperature does not drop to the level of 37.5-37 degrees, the pain syndrome does not pass, be sure to contact the doctors for help. Treatment of specialists will also be necessary if the hands begin to fester after frostbite.

The development of allergic reactions or side effects from the drug treatment also needs to be corrected by a qualified doctor.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it must be recalled that everyone can prevent frostbite. To do this, choose appropriate clothing temperature, do not wear tight shoes, be sure to wear mittens.

In addition, on the street you should not stand in one place. It is recommended to move more. People suffering from impaired blood circulation will need very warm clothes.

Never use alcohol to keep warm! It provides a short-term effect, followed by an aggravation of freezing.

Observe such rules, and no frostbite will be terrible to you!